Full Biography

Returning to Congress in 2013 after more than 32 years in domestic and international business and community work, Rick Nolan represents Minnesota’s sprawling 8th District – 18 counties that run from the top of the state’s Duluth/Lake Superior arrowhead region, through some of the nation’s richest mining, timber, lakes and tourist country, to the fast-growing northern suburbs of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Rick grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota on the Cuyuna Range in the heart of the state’s lake country. His father, Hank, was a postal worker. His mother, Mary, was a homemaker who supplemented the family income in the area resort industry. Along with his brother, Jim, and sister, Mary Pat, Rick began his lifelong enjoyment of hunting, fishing and the outdoors at an early age.

A father of 4 and grandfather of 10, Rick has been married to Mary Nolan for 28 years. The Nolan homestead in rural Crosby is a regular gathering place for 5 generations of Nolans who together tap maple syrup in spring, harvest wild rice in the fall, and never miss a hunting or fishing opener.

Rick worked his way through the University of Minnesota as a proud Local 638 UPS Teamster, and later taught high school social studies in Royalton, Minnesota.  He directed the North Central Minnesota 19-unit Head Start program and was curriculum coordinator for the Little Falls Adult Education program. He did post-graduate work at St. Cloud State University, Central Lakes College and the University of Maryland.

He began his public service in 1968, representing Morrison County in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 2 terms. At 24, he was one of the youngest people ever to serve in the Minnesota Legislature.

Rick was elected to Congress from Minnesota’s 6th District, which then encompassed 22 central and southwestern counties, in 1974, arriving in Washington as part of a record number of new Members at the onset of the post-Watergate era.

During his 3 terms from 1975-1981, he was recognized nationwide for his battles on behalf of working families, farmers, small businesses and rural communities. Rick was honored during those years to be named a “Most Respected Member of Congress” by syndicated columnist Jack Anderson in his widely read column, “Congress Watch.”

Rick decided to leave Congress in 1980 to spend more time with his young family and pursue private business. In the ensuing years, he devoted much of his professional energy to generating Minnesota jobs through exports and trade. Establishing his own business, U.S. Export Corporation, he worked with then Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich to build and operate the Minnesota World Trade Center in downtown St. Paul. He later served as president of the Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation and chaired the International Association of World Trade Centers’ Trade and Policy Committee, the world’s largest private sector international trade group.

Rick is also the former owner of Emily Wood Products, a small sawmill and pallet factory in the northern Minnesota community of Emily. He successfully built the business and generated good jobs in the area. Rick’s daughter and son-in-law now own and operate the enterprise.

Continuing his public service, Rick became chairman of his local Mission Township Planning Committee, and chairman of the Central Lakes College Foundation, raising money for disadvantaged students of all ages.

Elected again to Congress in 2012, he retains his pervious seniority as a 4th term Member.

IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

U.S. Congressman, MN-08. 2013 to the present

U.S. Congressman, MN-06. 1975-1981

• A “Most Respected” Member of US Congress (1975-1981) - “Congress Watch” by nationally syndicated Columnist Jack Anderson
• “Presidential Commission on World Hunger”, Chief Congressional sponsor and Presidential appointee to the Commission (1978-80)
• “Rural Development Policy Act of 1980”, Chief Congressional Sponsor; featured as major accomplishment by the Carter Administration
• Member of House Agriculture Committee responsible for food, nutrition, agricultural production
• Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Family Farms & Rural Development
• Congressional Delegate to the European Parliamentary Exchange     
• Negotiated American Political Prisoner Release and Agricultural Exchange with Cuban President Fidel Castro (1977)
• “Bread for the World Distinguished Service Award“ recipient

IN BUSINESS

• Chairman, President & CEO of Minnesota World Trade Center Corporation
• Chairman of International Association of World Trade Centers Trade Policy Committee, the world’s largest private sector int’l trade group
• 25 years International Business experience (1980 to present) generating U.S. jobs, selling US products, establishing distributorships, joint ventures, partnerships, agency relationships, business training and finance for US Companies
• Former President/Owner/CEO of Emily Forest Products- sawmill & pallet manufacturer in Emily, MN. Planted more than 100,000 trees

IN THE COMMUNITY

• President of Central Lakes College Foundation raising scholarship money for economically disadvantaged students of all ages
• Lecturer for Initiative Foundation on Serving in Public Office
• National Township Officer’s Association Citizen of the Year
• Former Chairman, Mission Township Planning Committee